AR Rahman makes India proud

After becoming the first Indian to win the Golden Globe, music maestro Allah Rakha Rahman added yet another feather in his cap blazing a new trail getting a triple Oscar nomination in two categories, an unprecedented feat for any Indian.

The 43-year-old music wizard, nicknamed 'Mozart of Madras', who has enthralled audience in the country and abroad with his heartwarming symphonies finally got his due recognition on the international stage with his composition in the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

Rahman, born in Chennai on January 6, 1966, was nominated in the Best Original Score and Best Original Song categories for two of his compositions -- 'Jai Ho' and 'O Saya'. Born as a Hindu, he changed his name to Allah Rakha Rahman from S Dileep Kumar after his family converted to Islam in 1970s.

The music genius first came to limelight with his music for a Bombay Dyeing ad in 1980s which became very popular. In 1992, he was approached by film director Mani Ratnam to compose the score and soundtrack for his Tamil film 'Roja'. The music of the film was a refreshing change from the run-of-the-mill renditions and gave Rahman his maiden Best Music Director trophy at the National Film Awards, the first time ever by a debutante film composer.

Rahman entered the Hindi film industry with 'Rangeela', directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The music of the film became a rage and the genius continued to give some brilliant compositions for films such as 'Bombay', 'Dil Se', 'Taal', 'Lagaan' and 'Rang De Basanti', among others.

What made Rahman's music click with the listeners was the refreshing use of percussions, sound and melody, most of which were inspired from the Indian folk music. His 1998 superhit composition 'Chaiyya Chaiyya', which was deeply rooted in Sufi mysticism, became a rage among Indians and is still considered one of the best compositions of the musician.

Rahman gradually became a known face on the international platform and in 1999 he performed with king of pop, Michael Jackson in Munich for 'Michael Jackson and Friends Concert'. In 2002, he gave the music for his maiden stage production 'Bombay Dreams' directed by legendary musical theater composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Rahman's music was also a hit from London's 'West End' to New York's 'Broadway'.

In 2004, with Finnish folk music band 'Varttina', he composed the music for 'The Lord of the Rings' theater production. Rahman's composition 'Jai Ho' for British director Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire', earned him the Critics Choice Award for Best Composer in 2008 and the Golden Globe in the category of Best Original Score.

A four-time National Award winner, Rahman was honoured with the Padma Shri and received six awards at the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, besides 11 awards for his scores at the Filmfare and Filmfare Awards South each. In 2006, he received an honourary award from Stanford University for his contributions to global music.

In 1995, he also received the Mauritius National Award and a Malaysian Award. The music director, who is known for his humble demeanor, gave a new definition to patriotism with his modern rendition of 'Vande Mataram'. His latest tract 'Jiya Se Jiya' is another attempt to send the message of peace and love through music.

In 2008, he scored soundtracks for 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na,' 'Yuvvraaj,' 'Ghajini,' and 'Slumdog Millionaire' and will continue to rule million hearts with his music for the upcoming films such as 'Dilli 6' and 'Blue'.